Astronaut Can Remove Monitor
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Former astronaut Lisa Nowak can remove an electronic monitoring bracelet from her ankle while she awaits trial on charges she attacked a romantic rival, a judge ruled today.
Ms. Nowak had argued that the bracelet was expensive, bulky and uncomfortable.
Judge Marc L. Lubet said those claims did not matter, but that Nowak had behaved well enough over the last seven months to remove the device.
The woman Ms. Nowak is accused of attacking asked a court to require Ms. Nowak to continue wearing the device. Colleen Shipman said she still feared Ms. Nowak.
Judge Lubet said Ms. Nowak had no reason to contact Ms. Shipman or travel to Florida, where Ms. Shipman lives, other than to attend court, or to Virginia, where Ms. Shipman’s boyfriend lives.
Ms. Nowak is also barred from Maryland and Delaware and from Washington D.C., without court approval, according to the filing.
Judge Lubet also said the military has assured him that Ms. Nowak, a Navy captain, would face additional penalties if she violated the new parole conditions.
